October in Palm Beach County marks Domestic Violence Awareness Month, highlighting advocacy and education efforts. The county launched its awareness campaign with an opening ceremony at the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office Training Center, under the banner of "Hope Rises Where Silence Falls". The event, emceed by Luli Ortiz, saw county leaders and survivors gather to advance the dialogue and support surrounding domestic violence, according to CBS12.
Featured at the ceremony were notable initiatives like the Silent Witness Installation, which brings honor to the lives tragically lost to such violence. On hand to introduce the exhibit were Pam O’Brien of AVDA and Shea Spencer of the YWCA. Nicole Bishop, Director of Victim Services, discussed the federal ICJR grant’s role in supporting new programs. Moreover, the Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller, Mike Caruso announced novel tools for survivor protection, including an Injunction Portal and Hope Card program.
Amidst the many announcements and updates, an exciting moment was the nomination of a local survivor for the Domestic Violence Awareness Month Impact Award. Taking to Facebook, the nominee expressed their gratitude, stating, "This nomination means so much to me as a survivor myself and someone who has invested their life in trying to break that cycle for others," according to a Facebook post. The individual, who is not only a survivor but also an advocate working on significant domestic violence legislation, invited others to join them at the opening ceremony.
With the month-long awareness campaign now underway, community members and officials alike show solidarity with survivors and emphasize the message that bringing an end to domestic violence requires communal effort and engagement. Florida Atlantic University Police Chief Sean Brammer presented the DV Impact Awards, a highlight of the ceremony that spotlights the dedication and hard work of those committed to ending domestic violence.
